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Lane Neal was drawn to the oil and gas industry because it is, well, cool. “I can still remember being a very young child going to work with my dad [a petroleum engineer] for ‘weekend duty’ where he had to handle morning calls with the rigs he and his team were running, and being fascinated by the cool technology in the office,” he says. Neal developed his knack for technical problem-solving and joined the industry as an engineer, but in 2020 made the leap to oil and gas energy finance. “This opportunity has allowed me to expand my skill set, financial acumen and overall capabilities as not only an engineer but aspiring future CEO in ways that I never imagined possible.”
What qualities do you think are necessary to be a good leader in the oil and gas industry?
- Servant leadership is one of the most critical skills that a good leader exhibits. Nothing is more galvanizing for a team than a leader who not only talks the talk, but is willing to get their hands dirty, who truly has skin in the game and helps their team accomplish goals.
- Humility: The best leaders are ones who are open to be challenged and encourage their teams to come up with new ideas.
- Great communication skills: The best leaders are those able to clearly communicate expectations, quickly correct if a project is going in the wrong direction, and articulate clear goals for the team that allow for a common vision.
- Strategic thinking: The best leaders can anticipate the needs of the business and position their teams to provide solutions, sometimes even before the problems present themselves.
What or whom do you credit for helping you develop leadership abilities during your career?
My career arch has had a lot of particular twists and turns which at the time have seemed like difficult situations but have ultimately provided me with an irreplicable perspective and ability to understand potential risk and upsides that has truly made me the engineer and leader I am today. I have truly grown to appreciate the concept that difficult situations truly develop great leaders (rough seas make great sailors) and in retrospect I realize that there were situations I wish I had run toward instead of away from as I probably missed out on even more great lessons and development opportunities.
What advice would you give other young professionals?
It sounds cliché, but you can’t control whether you are the most gifted, naturally intelligent person in the room. What you can control is how hard you work, how much you care, and how you treat people. Work to be the type of person that people want to be around, and you will be successful. Patience is a virtue; don’t rush your career. Utilize the time you have, embrace opportunity, and you will reach your goals.
What keeps you motivated and passionate about working in the oil and gas industry?
I am truly passionate about helping to provide our world with clean and reliable sources of energy. I love what I do! It’s not often that people get to say that, but I really enjoy solving technical problems, thinking critically, and combining my passion for unconventional reservoir development with financial/business acumen to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Take a look at the rest of the Forty Under 40 2024 winners.
